By Order Of The Housing Association

Trimmers came and wrangled her tree
with yellow rope. Steel hooks
jabbed in its bark, thick branches
pulled off, others sawed.
Her sweet dogwood slimmed, barely-limbed
to give fine shade or fetch
nesting birds. The girl wept.
It used to shield her view
from brillant glare and that lane
of houses built too close. No space
for parking. Their doors
always shut--- keeping warmth in
while hosting the vague
identity of shadows.
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The photo is by New Paltz artist, G. Steve Jordan and is called simpy "Untitled".